May your eyes live on.

Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2014

A simple gesture, a deed of greatness - donating your eyes is passing on the blessing called sight to someone who has only seen darkness. It does not require you to pay, take any effort or go through any pain. All you need to do is register to pledge your eyes for donation.

What is the procedure to register for eye donation?

The first step is to contact your nearest eye bank/NGO. We’d suggest you check the credentials of the organisation through which you want to pledge your eyes and clarify all your doubts regarding the procedure. Then all you have to do is fill a simple registration form and take the pledge.

What happens once the donor passes away?

The relatives of the donor will have to inform the concerned eye bank once the donor passes away. A team of doctors will be sent to enucleate the eyes of the donor. The process will take only less than 30 minutes and is free of cost.

Immediate steps/ precautions to be taken (before the team of doctors arrive):

The eyelids of the deceased will have to be kept closed

If there is a fan close/ right above the body, please switch it off

Raise the head of the deceased slightly by placing a pillow underneath the neck

Obtain the death certificate from the physician

Keep the written consent of concerned family member ready

At least two witnesses should be present

Once the team reaches the eye bank, the corneas will be examined. If deemed fit, they will be used for corneal transplant within 36 hours.

Important facts about eye donation

Anyone can donate eyes irrespective of age, gender, blood group or religion.

Eyes can be donated only after the death of a person.

Eyes must be removed within 6 to 8 hours of death

Eyes can only be removed by a registered medical practitioner

Eye donation does not leave any scar or cause face disfigurement

People with myopia (short sight)/ astigmatism/ hypermetropia (long sight) & those who have been treated for cataract/ glaucoma can also donate their eyes

People with history of hypertension and diabetes can donate

Eye donation gives sight to two blind persons. One cornea is grafted to one person.